David Filner assumed the administrative leadership of the San Antonio Symphony in November, 2012. Led by Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing, the San Antonio Symphony is celebrating its 73rd year this season.

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

Weekend concerts

The Symphony opened its Classics season at the Majestic Theatre Friday night. Express-News reviewer David Hendricks said, “The audience was transported across the Atlantic during the evening’s big piece, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 2, “A London Symphony.” The gentle, distant Westminster chimes on harp and the lovely themes, especially the simple low-note, high-note motif in the second movement, were perfectly rendered.”

The program also included the Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 and will be repeated on Saturday night. For information visit sasymphony.org.

On Sunday, October 10 at 3:15 p.m. at Temple Beth-El, the San Antonio Chamber Music Society opens their season with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The concert includes quintets by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Brahms.

When you think of a child prodigy in music, Mozart is the name that comes to mind. But, Mendelssohn was also one of the greatest prodigies in history. He was born in 1809 and, like Mozart, had an older sister who was a huge musical talent. Mendelssohn’s childhood was much different than Mozart’s, as his father was very reluctant to let his son’s gifts be publically displayed. Mendelssohn was the grandson of the famous Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn and was raised in luxury. The greatest minds of Germany were frequent visitors to the Mendelssohn home. He made his first public appearance around the age of nine and between the ages of 12 and 14, he wrote 12 string symphonies. His education included studies in art, literature, languages and philosophy. He was a gifted painter in watercolors.

Mendelssohn wrote his quintet in 1826 at age 17. He wrote it after he composed his famous incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and his Octet. Here is a brief video of the end of the first movement of the quintet:

SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 5

The San Antonio Symphony is hosting a fund raiser featuring world renowned jeweler Konstantino at Neiman Marcus at The Shops at La Cantera from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010. If you attend, you will have a chance to meet Konstantino, and to preview and purchase from his exclusive collection before the store opens. For information or to RSVP please call (210) 554-1052.